Election season is nearing and we are going to see a whole lot of arguments on why Narendra Modi should be the next PM. I think most the arguments hold no merit and are mere wishful thinking arising which is the result of a brilliant PR campaign and the dismal failure of the UPA coalition. In many ways it resembles a cult with a charismatic leader who can do no wrong and can only do right. Let's use this thread to turn a skeptical eye on the arguments surrounding Modi.

1. The 2002 riots

Many people seem to forgotten that these riots happened because the government machinery turned a blind eye to what was happening. The current belief is that Modi did everything he could to reign in the riots. But the best case scenario is that Modi was incompetent. The worse case scenario is that he let the Sangh outfits do their thing.

A popular argument is that Modi brought development and that is all that matters. It is a trope popularized by the Hindu right which says Muslims should just move on and enjoy the fruits of development.

These are the same people who will not accept the post 1991 liberal reforms by Congress as excusing the 1984 riots. They will not accept that Kashmiri Pandits should move on either. Both these arguments are very valid. "Development" cannot be used as an excuse to waive away injustice. But when it comes to Modi, all that is forgotten.

Note: I will keep updating this post as and when I come across new references/arguments.

A note about commenting policy for this thread - since there will be members who will be redirected here from our various Nirmukta groups on Modi related discussions, some of the usual forum rules no not apply here. Unhealthy discussions, some forms of trolling like agenda trolling will be tolerated (at the discretion of the moderators). Debates on ideological points are allowed. Certain leeway is given for offtopic posts. As usual discussions about moderation decisions are to be taken to the moderation open thread.

(16-Jun-2013, 06:38 AM)Lije Wrote: ....I think most the arguments hold no merit and are mere wishful thinking arising which is the result of a brilliant PR campaign....

Though your post is focused on Modi I think it applies to BJP leadership in general. I remember seeing similar arguments (particularly the thing about BJP being good for business) made by the BJP leadership as part of the failed India Shining campaign from the 2004 election season. Govt funds were used to 'promote India' to the international community. But it was a cheap electioneering trick. And it failed.

(16-Jun-2013, 06:38 AM)Lije Wrote: 2. The development of Gujarat

The crux of the argument against the PR propaganda is that Gujarat has always been well to do and claiming credit for that is, well, just plain dishonest.

I would say it applies to all political parties. However what we're seeing is selective criticism. If Congress puts out PR propaganda material, that gets ripped to shards (as it rightfully should be). But when Modi does the same, that somehow gets a pass. This even happens in freethought circles where you'd expect people to be skeptical of bombastic claims.

Just stumbled on another link - A piece on APCO, the lobbying firm that Modi uses.

So you should make a comparison of modi with other chief ministers and come up with clear evidence of inferiority of modi and superiority of other chief ministers superiority. Please give relevant examples. It is easy to accuse god does not exist. Berceuse in reality he does not exist. So you don't really need any proof. But modi exist so you need a proof and documents and inference or at least some opinions.

(30-Jun-2013, 08:50 PM)jaydcp Wrote: So you should make a comparison of modi with other chief ministers and come up with clear evidence of inferiority of modi and superiority of other chief ministers superiority. Please give relevant examples. It is easy to accuse god does not exist. Berceuse in reality he does not exist. So you don't really need any proof. But modi exist so you need a proof and documents and inference or at least some opinions.

Did you even read the links I had posted? Modi ran an administration that let violence go unchecked. Lots of chief ministers did a lot better than that.

"It wouldn't make much of a difference. Even if I am armed with a recorded confession from Modi himself the ones who want to vote for him, will voted for him. For them his guilt is irrelevant in the larger scheme of growth and development.

//These myth-busters took me just one hour to compile. So it's quite surprising that none of the stalwarts who interviewed Modi, (some of whom saw the events of 2002 unfold in front of their very own eyes), never counter-questioned him further and exposed the glaring gaps in his "rebuffed" narrative. Much like Smriti Irani, I guess, each night they must be saying to themselves "Hey Ram"....//